Use of Therapeutic Pets in Elderly Care : A Descriptive Literature Review
Benedicto, Zuzzette; De Ala, Relly; Vallejo, Paula Bianca (2023)
2023
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202403235005
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202403235005
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Pet therapy, first discovered by Florence Nightingale in the 1800s, uses animals for anxiety and relaxation. It includes animal-assisted therapy and exercise, benefiting the elderly by reducing loneliness and increasing physical activity which also explores the health benefits of therapy pets.
This bachelor’s thesis described the utilization of therapeutic pets and the associated benefits in elderly care. The aim of this study is to produce a new knowledge in understanding the use of therapeutic pets and its benefits that can be utilized in nursing practice. All articles were synthesized from the reliable databases CINAHL and MEDLINE. A total of 12 academic articles were utilized including 4 qualitative and 8 quantitative articles. The articles included were published from 2013-2021. This bachelor’s thesis utilized narrative review as its method and data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
The results will show that the use of therapeutic pets in elderly care can promote social interaction and improve emotional and psychological well-being. AAT can also improve the social relationships and mental health of elderly individuals with dementia by reducing symptoms of depression and improving social behavior. Therapeutic pets provide emotional benefits by relieving loneliness and enhancing mood. The study reveals that therapy pets in elderly care enhances the overall well-being of the elderly, focusing on social relationships and emotional, physical, and mental aspects. AAT can be a valuable tool in the care of elderly people, reducing loneliness, anxiety, and sadness while increasing self-esteem and motivation.
This bachelor’s thesis described the utilization of therapeutic pets and the associated benefits in elderly care. The aim of this study is to produce a new knowledge in understanding the use of therapeutic pets and its benefits that can be utilized in nursing practice. All articles were synthesized from the reliable databases CINAHL and MEDLINE. A total of 12 academic articles were utilized including 4 qualitative and 8 quantitative articles. The articles included were published from 2013-2021. This bachelor’s thesis utilized narrative review as its method and data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
The results will show that the use of therapeutic pets in elderly care can promote social interaction and improve emotional and psychological well-being. AAT can also improve the social relationships and mental health of elderly individuals with dementia by reducing symptoms of depression and improving social behavior. Therapeutic pets provide emotional benefits by relieving loneliness and enhancing mood. The study reveals that therapy pets in elderly care enhances the overall well-being of the elderly, focusing on social relationships and emotional, physical, and mental aspects. AAT can be a valuable tool in the care of elderly people, reducing loneliness, anxiety, and sadness while increasing self-esteem and motivation.